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Five weeks without work and a lack of cash and he made what even he described to the Rockhampton Magistrate's Court as a "stupid decision".

Using skills he learnt on the job, Stephen Bryan kicked down the door of his former Rockhampton workplace and broke into a vending machine.

After cutting the locks of the machine with a oxyacetylene burner which he had used at the concreting company many times before, the 32-year-old grabbed $80 worth of coins and a few cans of soft drink before running away.

Unfortunately for Bryan, police forensics found Bryan's DNA at the scene.

Bryan yesterday pleaded guilty to charges of enter premises, wilful damage and stealing for the offences he committed on July 6.

The court heard Bryan was sacked from the Parkhurst business in May this year after working there for four years.

Bryan represented himself in court.

"I'd been without any money for five weeks," Bryan said.

"It was a stupid decision and I don't justify my actions," he said.

Bryan said he was now seeking employment and had organised a house to move into.

Magistrate Barry Cosgrove said if Bryan was in desperate straits he should have approached a charitable organisation for assistance.

Bryan was sentenced to 12 months probation and 120 hours of community service.

He was also ordered to pay $2707 restitution for damages to the vending machine.